A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has written Governor Siminialayi Fubara, highlighting his actions that allegedly breached the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
LEADERSHIP reports that the faction comprising about 27 members had been limbo since when a Rivers State High Court ruled that they had lost their seats in the House of Assembly for defecting from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in violation of extant law.
However, a judgement of the Appeal Court, which is being challenged by the faction of the House loyal to Governor Fubara, has rekindled their hope of retaining their legislative seats.
Consequently, the 27-member factional House led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, sent the letter dated July 8, 2024 and signed by its Speaker, Amaewhule, to Governor Fubara shortly after rising from its plenary on Monday.
In the document titled: “Resolutions reached at the first legislative day of the second session of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly”, the House drew the governor’s attention to the 2024 Appropriation Bill, saying he was yet to present it before them as lawmakers.
Addressing the governor, the House said: “You are yet to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 in line with Section 121(1)of the 1999 Constitution as altered and in compliance with the judgement delivered on the 22nd day of January 2024 by Honourable Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.”
The factional House insisted that the governor had yet to present the bill to a duly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly under the speakership of Amaewhule in line with Section 122 of the Constitution.
“The Rivers State Government under your watch is now barred from spending funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of tbe state. The House hereby gives you the opportunity to present same within seven days from the date of this resolution,” the House said.
The Rivers Assembly also drew the governor’s attention to his breach of 192(2) of the Constitution, accusing him of inaugurating members of the Rivers State Executive Council as commissioners without confirmation of the House.
The lawmakers told the governor that he also breached Section 7(1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (amendment) Law 2023 for swearing-in certain unelected individuals to manage the affairs of the 23 local government area councils in the state in flagrant disobedience to the judgement delivered by Justice Omotosho.
“The learned Judge restrained you from dealing with the three suspended who with your connivance are parading themselves as Rivers House of Assembly in total disobedience to the order of the learned Judge,” the House told the governor.
The lawmakers said the governor in total disregard to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal, continued to transact with the three suspended members of the House in contempt of the orders of the court.
The House said the governor refused to direct all impostors in his government to stop parading in their purported positions.
The House said: “These infractions by you on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, other extant laws and judicial pronouncements constitute gross misconduct ans abuse of office on your part.
“We call on you to do the needful and act lawfully without further delay and please accept the assurances of our high regards.”
